Bellament or Article of Clothing Used for Creating the Appearance of a One-Piece Garment When Worn in Combination With a Bra

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing, such as a lingerie product, that can be worn with an existing bra. The article can come in various sizes that will accommodate most women. A large breasted woman can wear a bra that fits her and attach the article to the bra, creating a seamless look of a one-piece garment. Conversely, a woman with smaller breasts and large hips can wear her own bra with a larger size garment, creating lingerie that fits her various proportions. Currently, there is no product that allows any bra to become the foundation for properly fitting lingerie. The present invention can provide lingerie that properly fits women&#39;s various body types.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Utility application Ser. No. 13/403,942, entitled “Lingerie That FastensTo Itself Around A Bra Support Band” filed Feb. 23, 2012. The disclosureof the aforementioned application is included by reference as if fullyset forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to lingerie and, more particularly, alingerie garment that is worn with a separate bra, that when worntogether create the appearance of a single lingerie garment. Inparticular, a bra is used as the support base for the lingerie garmentwhich includes two encasing sleeves for receiving and encasing two brasupport bands, two strap openings for receiving two removably attachedstraps and at least one fastener for attaching between the bra cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's lingerie market is predominately geared towards proportionatelysized women. That is, most lingerie is made in sizes small, medium, andlarge. For women who are proportionately sized according the lingeriemanufacturer's standards, finding well-fitting lingerie may not be aproblem. However, there are great number of women who do not fit withinthe confines of the manufacturer's sizing standards.

While there may be some alternatives for non-standard sized women, thelingerie is not easy to find. For plus-sized women, there are somestores that cater to the larger sizes. The plus size lingerie is madewith larger specifications that are still proportionate to a largeroverall body size. This however, is not the standard, so plus sizelingerie is not always readily accessible. Additionally, there isanother segment of women who have difficulty finding lingerie.

For women with disproportionate body sizes, for example, a woman withsmall breasts and large hips, or a woman with large breasts and smallhips, lingerie is not readily available. When lingerie styles, such asbaby dolls, incorporate underwires to support the breasts, the sizessmall, medium, and large do not accommodate many women's bodies. Thereare some specialty stores that offer lingerie with specific cup sizes,but those are very limited and more costly. Moreover, there is noguarantee that with even the proper fitting cup size, the remainder ofthe lingerie garment will fit as it should.

Custom-made lingerie is an alternative for some women, but it is not aviable option for many. A woman could find someone to manufacturelingerie according to her measurements, but having garments madeespecially for someone's measurements is expensive. Most women could notafford to have custom-made lingerie.

The problem that is apparent with today's lingerie market is that thereis an entire segment of women who cannot find ready-made lingerie thatfits properly. Women with disproportionate body sizes are left with few,if any, options for lingerie. Additionally, with the ever increasingnumber of breast augmentation surgeries performed each year, more womenwith larger breasts are unable to find proper fitting lingerie.

There are some inventions in the art that provide embellishments tobras. U.S. Patent Application 2010/0293700 A1 discloses an accessory forclothing that can alter or modify the length and/or style and/orappearance of a garment by attaching to the garment itself. Thisaccessory can be used to extend the length of a garment or provide adecorative border to the garment using a method of clamping to thegarment itself U.S. Patent Application 2009/0247046 A1 discloses acamisole panel that is comprised of a triangular-shaped camisole thatattaches to the user's undergarment. This camisole panel is used toprovide a modesty panel to cover the undergarment.

Lingerie is mostly made for women with A-C cup breast size. Otherlingerie is made for plus size women. For those women who have breastslarger than C cups and who are not plus size, there is a shortage oflingerie that fits the breasts properly. Additionally, the lingerie thatis available does not always fit the various body types/shapes of womenwho may be disproportionate according to lingerie manufacturers'standards.

In light of the shortcomings in the prior art, there is a need forimproved lingerie that may fit women of all shapes and sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a lingerie garment thatwhen worn with a separate bra will produce a single-looking piece oflingerie that fits a woman properly regardless of her body type and/orproportions.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a lingerie garment thatdoes not modify or alter a separate bra unless the string-through methodis used whereby at least two openings are located on a gore of a bra forattaching to a bellament. If the string-through method is not used thenthe present invention provides a lingerie garment that attaches to thebra itself by a method of wearing, attaching, receiving, encasing,suspending and creating. The present invention further offers a methodof using the support of the bra as the base by which encasing sleevesand strap openings receive and encase bra support bands and bra straps,for creating the appearance of a single-looking piece of lingerie.

An additional aspect of the present invention allows forinterchangeability. Various bras can be used as the supporting base ofthe lingerie, providing a different overall look to the garment. Forexample, the lingerie garment is a tight, black and pink lace teddystyle and can be interchanged with a black lace bra, a pink lace bra, oranother color or style of bra. Moreover, one bra can be worn withseveral different lingerie garments. For example, a red lace bra can beworn with a lingerie garment to produce the look of a baby doll, or ateddy, or a long chemise gown, or another style of lingerie. Thisinvention creates a multitude of options and combinations that can beworn. This invention will provide an array of various looks, which canbe a cost effective means to buying several pieces of lingerie,depending on the style and brand of lingerie.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a well-fitting lingeriegarment that is worn with a bra and can be interchanged with other bras.This invention improve the market of today's lingerie by permittingwomen of all shapes and sizes to wear beautiful lingerie. Additionally,interchanging the various pieces will be more cost effective than buyingseveral pieces of specialty lingerie.

In one aspect of the present invention, a garment comprises an upperportion having at least one fastener disposed on a central front regionof the upper portion for attaching between a first cup and a second cupof a bra; the upper portion further including a first encasing sleeveand a second encasing sleeve for receiving and encasing a first brasupport band and a second bra support band disposed on the bra; a firststrap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially on a topportion of the first encasing sleeve and the second encasing sleeve forreceiving a first bra strap and a second bra strap, wherein each brastrap is removably attached to one of the bra support bands or one ofthe bra cups; a lower portion suspended from the upper portion; andwhereby the combination of attached upper and lower portions andsupporting elements of a bra create the appearance of a one-piecegarment.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing alingerie product to women having various body proportions compriseswearing a separate bra, without requiring modifications thereto;attaching at least one fastener between a gore, thereby supporting thelingerie product by using the support elements of the bra, Wherein thefastener is disposed on an upper portion of the lingerie product;receiving and encasing a first bra support band and a second bra supportband in a first encasing sleeve and a second encasing sleeve disposed onthe upper portion of the lingerie product; receiving and attaching afirst bra strap and a second bra strap to the first bra support band orfirst bra cup and the second bra support band or second bra cup in afirst strap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially onthe top of each encasing sleeve, thereby further supporting the lingerieproduct by using the support elements of the bra; suspending a lowerportion from the upper portion; and creating the appearance of a singlelingerie garment.

Accordingly, for a better understanding of the invention, its functionaladvantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, referenceshould be made to the accompanying drawings, claims and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 a is a front view illustrating an encasing sleeve according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a front perspective view of an encasing sleeve showing a brasupport band and a bra strap going through a sleeve opening and througha strap opening;

FIG. 2 e is an inside perspective view of an encasing sleeve located onthe inside of the upper portion of the bellament showing a bra supportband and a bra strap inserted through a sleeve opening and insertedthrough a strap opening;

FIG. 3 a is a front view according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention depicting the front, center cord loop located on theupper portion of the bellament unattached to an embellishment ordecorative element on the gore of a bra;

FIG. 3 b is a front view according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention depicting the front, center cord loop located on theupper portion of the bellament attached to an embellishment ordecorative element on the gore of a bra;

FIG. 4 a is a front perspective view according to an alternativeembodiment of the present invention depicting a string-through method,with two ribbons looped around, strung through openings, and tied in abow on the gore of a bra;

FIG. 4 b is an inside view of a cut-away portion of the bellamentaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present inventiondepicting the string-through method, with both ribbons unsecured and inthe up position;

FIG. 4 e is an inside view of a cut-away portion of the bellamentaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present inventiondepicting the string-through method, with one ribbon in the up positionand one ribbon looped around and strung through one of the openings inthe gore of the bra;

FIG. 4 d is an outside view of a cut-away portion of the bellamentaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present inventiondepicting the string-through method, with ribbons looped around, strungthrough the openings, and tied in a bow;

FIG. 5 is a front view according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention having encasing sleeves and illustrating thewrap-around method, with elastic fastening tabs in a fastened position,wrapping around the gore of a bra;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an upper portion of lingerie attachedaround a bra support band according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the upper portion of the lingerieof FIG. 6 in an unattached configuration with a bra;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the inside of the garment displayingmostly the upper portion of the lingerie of FIG. 6 in a configurationthat is unattached around a bra support band;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the inside of the garment displayingmostly the upper portion of the lingerie of FIG. 6 in a configurationthat is attached around a bra support band;

FIG. 10 is a side view displaying mostly the upper portion of thelingerie of FIG. 6 in an unattached configuration without a bra;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a fastener tab in an attachedconfiguration taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a baby doll version of lingerie attachedand/or encased to a bra support band according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a teddy version of lingerie attached and/orencased to a bra support band according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a long gown version of lingerie attachedand/or encased to a bra support band according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of a bra illustrating the elements of the bra.This figure is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent anypart of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an article ofclothing, such as a lingerie product, that can be worn with an existingbra. The article can come in various sizes that will accommodate mostwomen. For example, a large breasted woman can wear a bra that fits herand attach the article to the bra support band, creating a seamless lookof a one-piece garment. Conversely, a woman with smaller breasts andlarge hips can wear her own bra with a larger size garment, creatinglingerie that fits. Currently, there is no product that allows any brato become the foundation for properly fitting lingerie. The presentinvention can provide lingerie that properly fits women's various bodytypes.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, an article of clothing, such aslingerie 10, will include an upper portion 16 and a lower portion 18 ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention. Moreover, the upper portion16 and the lower portion 18 comprises a bellament 40 as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, and 12-14. Further, the bellament 40 is acamisole like garment for creating the appearance of a one piece underor outer garment.

The upper portion 16 of the preferred embodiment of the invention willinclude a first encasing sleeve 80 and a second encasing sleeve 85 forreceiving and encasing a first bra support band F1 and a second brasupport band F2 of bra 12. Likewise, the upper portion 16 will furtherinclude at least one fastener disposed on a central front region of theupper portion 16 for attaching between a first cup E1 and a second cupE2 of bra 12 or on a gore H on a bra. The fastener can consist of a cordloop fastener 120, or a string-through fastener 130. Similarly, thefastener can consist of a wrap-around fastener 155 which includes a tab20 and a connector 24 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The upper portion 16 of the preferred embodiment of the invention alsoincludes a first strap opening 100 and a second strap opening 105disposed substantially on a top portion of the first encasing sleeve 80and the second encasing sleeve 85 for receiving a first bra strap C1 anda second bra strap C2, and each bra strap is removably attached to oneof the bra support bands or to one of the bra cups. The upper portion 16of the preferred embodiment of the invention further includes an inneropening 110 located on the encasing sleeve and an outer opening 90located also on the encasing sleeve. Likewise, the upper portion 16 ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a front,center band 70 that will attach to or around the bra. There are threedifferent methods of attachment: the cord loop method, thestring-through method and the wrap-around method.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 a, 3 b, and 12-14, a lower portion 18 issuspended from or attached to the upper portion 16, whereby thecombination of attached upper 16 and lower portions 18 and supportingelements of bra 12 create the appearance of a one-piece garment 10.

Referring to FIG. 3 a, an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionillustrates the front, center cord loop 120 located on the upper portion16 of the bellament 40 unattached to an embellishment K or decorativeelement K on a gore of a bra. FIG. 3 b illustrates an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention depicting the front, center cordloop 120 attached to an embellishment K or decorative element K on agore of a bra.

Referring to FIG. 4 a, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention illustrates the string-through method 130, with two ribbons135 looped around, strung through openings L, and tied in a bow on agore K of a bra. FIG. 4 b illustrates the string-through method 130,with both ribbons 135 unsecured and in the up position. FIG. 4 cillustrates the string-through method 130, with one ribbon 135 in the upposition and one ribbon 135 looped around and strung through one of theopenings L in the gore K of a bra and aligned with the openings L in thecenter front portion of the bellament 40. FIG. 4 d illustrates thestring-through method 130, with the ribbons 135 looped around, strungthrough the openings L, and tied in a bow.

Referring now to an alternative embodiment of the invention as depictedin FIGS. 6 through 11, an article of clothing, such as lingerie 10, mayinclude fastening tabs 20 that extend from the upper portion 16. Thefastening tabs 20 may be designed to fit around the bra 12, for example,the bra support band 14, and may include connectors 24 to attach toconnectors 22 on an inside of the lower portion 18.

The fastening tabs 20 may be positioned at various locations on theupper portion 16. For example, the fastening tabs 20 may be designed toloop around at least two locations on each side of the bra support band14, Additionally, a fastening tab 20 may be designed to loop around thebra 12 between the cups of the bra. Typically at least five fasteningtabs 20 may be disposed on the upper portion 16 as illustrated in FIG.8.

The connectors 22, 24 may be various connecting mechanisms. For example,the connectors 22, 24 may be snaps, with one connector 22 being a malesnap and the other connector 24 being a female snap. In otherembodiments, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or other similarconnectors may be used.

While FIGS. 6-11 show the connectors 22 on the lower portion 18, theseconnectors 22 may be disposed at various locations, including the lowerportion 18, the upper portion 16 or even at the seam between theseportions 16, 18.

The lower portion 18 of the lingerie 10 may be designed in variousstyles. For example, as Shown in FIG. 12, a baby doll version 28 of thelingerie may be designed. As shown in FIG. 13, a teddy version 30 of thelingerie may be designed. As shown in FIG. 14, a long chemise gownversion 32 of the lingerie may be designed. Other styles may be includedwithin the scope of the present invention.

The upper portion 16 of the lingerie 10 may be made in various fabrics.For example, the upper portion 16 may be constructed of a stretchfabric, such as tricot, Spandex®, lace of any fabric with Lycra® orelastic material. The back of the upper portion 16 may or may not coveraround the back of the wearer 26. The upper portion 16 may be designedto cover some, or very little of the bra 12 with the bra cups exposed.

The upper portion 16 and the lower portion 18 may be two separatearticles, sewn together. In some embodiments, the upper portion 16 andthe lower portion 18 may be made as a single piece construction.

To wear the lingerie 10, the wearer 26 can attach the garment to her ownbra. The garment, combined with the bra, would have the appearance ofone complete garment. The lingerie 10 of the present invention canprovide a good fit to women of various sizes and shapes, as the bra sizewould be independent of the lingerie size (e.g., hip size).

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Itshould also be understood that the present invention is not limited tothe designs mentioned in this application and the equivalent designs inthis description, but it is also intended to cover other equivalents nowknown to those skilled in the art, or those equivalents which may becomeknown to those skilled in the art in the future.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment, comprising: an upper portion having atleast one fastener disposed on a central front region of the upperportion for attaching to a gore disposed on a bra; the upper portionfurther including a first encasing sleeve and a second encasing sleevefor receiving and encasing a first bra support band and a second brasupport band disposed on the bra; a first strap opening and a secondstrap opening disposed substantially on a top portion of the firstencasing sleeve and the second encasing sleeve for receiving a first brastrap and a second bra strap, wherein each bra strap is removablyattached to the bra; a lower portion suspended from the upper portion;and whereby the combination of attached upper and lower portions andsupporting elements of a bra create the appearance of a one piecegarment,
 2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a cord loopfastener disposed on the front central portion of the upper portion forremovable attachment to an embellishment or decorative element disposedon the gore of the bra.
 3. The garment of claim 1, further comprising astring-through tie fastener disposed on the front central portion of theupper portion, wherein the string-through fastener is adapted to passthrough at least two openings located on the gore of the bra forattaching to the bellament using a string-through method.
 4. The garmentof claim I, further comprising a fastener disposed on the front centralportion of the upper portion, the fastener adapted to extend around thegore of the bra for attaching the bellament to the bra.
 5. The garmentof claim 1, wherein the upper portion is sewn to the lower portion. 6.The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is lingerie.
 7. The garmentof claim 6, wherein the lingerie is a baby doll, a teddy, a long chemisegown or the like.
 8. A bellament for creating the appearance of aone-piece garment when worn in combination with a bra, the bellementcomprising: an upper portion having a plurality of fasteners extendingfrom said upper portion, the fasteners having a first connector disposedon a distal end thereof for removable attachment to a bra; at least oneof the plurality of fasteners disposed on a central front region of theupper portion and positioned near the gore of the bra for removableattachment to the bra; a lower portion attached to and suspended fromthe upper portion; and a second connector, adapted to connect with thefirst connector, disposed on an inside of the lower portion of thegarment, wherein at least one of the fasteners is adapted to loop arounda bra support band of the bra worn by a user.
 9. The garment of claim 8,wherein the upper portion is sewn to the lower portion.
 10. The garmentof claim 8, wherein the garment is lingerie.
 11. The garment of claim10, wherein the lingerie is a baby doll, a teddy, a long chemise gown orthe like.
 12. A method of providing a lingerie product to women havingvarious body proportions, said method comprising the following steps:wearing a separate bra, attaching at least one fastener to a gore,thereby supporting the lingerie product by using the support elements ofthe bra, wherein the fastener is disposed on an upper portion of thelingerie product; receiving and encasing a first bra support band and asecond bra support band in a first encasing sleeve and a second encasingsleeve disposed on an upper portion of the lingerie product; receivingand attaching a first bra strap and a second bra strap to the bra in afirst strap opening and a second strap opening disposed substantially onthe top of each encasing sleeve, thereby further supporting the lingerieproduct by using the support elements of the bra; suspending a lowerportion from the upper portion; and creating the appearance of a singlelingerie garment.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the garment islingerie.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lingerie is a babydoll, a teddy, a long chemise gown or the like.
 15. The method of claim12, wherein the upper portion is sewn to the lower portion,
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein a cord loop fastener is adapted to connectto an embellishment or decorative element located on a gore of a bra.17. The method of claim 12, wherein a string-through fastener is adaptedto pass through at least two openings located on a gore of the bra forattaching a bellament to said bra using a string-through method.
 18. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the fastener disposed on the front centralportion of the upper portion is adapted to extend around a gore of thebra for attaching the bellament to the bra.
 19. The garment of claim 1,wherein the bra cups are exposed for showcasing the bra.